Crochet Front Post Coin Purse, Jewelry Bag and Pencil Pouch Instructions ~ Designed for an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift

When I posted my Simple Crocheted Stand-up, Drawstring Bag Instructions a reader, Pam, mentioned she may use it for a coin purse pattern and that she was looking for a new one for her Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes crafting. So I took to working on designing some for her.  This is the second one and as I was crocheting it I thought how it would also make a nice Jewelry Bag and if I kept adding rows it would make a great pencil pouch, too.  When I dug out some of my school supply stock pile I saw it could also hold a small solar calculator, a
pair of scissors, a pencil sharpener and more (I think an 8 pack of crayons will fit great--but I don't have any in stock to try).

I have read again and again how many children who receive Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts are most excited about the school supplies.  In many places they cannot afford these supplies.  I read of one report that a simple box of crayons took a week's wage.  Just recently on Clip With Purpose Facebook Page there was discussion of reports from the recent Uganda distribution that the main reason children are absent from school is because of the lack of a pencil.

I have always included school supplies in my shoeboxes, but now I am more determined than ever to include multiple pencils, pens and crayons.

Front Post Coin Purse and Pencil Pouch Crochet Instructions

Ridges made from front post stitches.

When using a solid color of yarn in my designs I always try to add some texture or design in the stitching to make it interesting.  Because these bags are designed to hold small items I could not incorporate an open pattern of any kind so I took inspiration from "Aunt Ida's Hat" posted on Joy With Purpose by Mary and used the post stitch to make small ridges.


Dimensions:

Coin Purse (I used baby yarn & F hook) 

Bottom – length: 3 1/4”; width: 1” (will be a little larger with worsted weight)

Side - height:  3”; width: 3 1/2” (will be a little larger with worsted weight)

Gauge: 3 HDCFP and 6 HDC stitches = 1 3/4”; 5 HDC rows = 1 1/2”

Pencil Pouch (I used light weight worsted & G hook):

Bottom – length: 4”; Width: 1 1/8”

Side – height: 8 1/2”; width: 4”

Gauge: 3 HDCFP and 6 HDC stitches = 2”; 3 HDC rows = 1”

Supplies:

Baby yarn (or light weight worsted)

Crochet hook – size F (or G for light WW)

Coin Purse (worked in rounds, do not turn)

Front Post Stitch Illustration

NOTE:  Front Post Half Double Crochet (fphdc) stitches are used in this pattern.  Here is a clear explanation I found:  Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around post of corresponding stitch below (see image), yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook. (source: Crochetme.com).

Ch 12

Round 1:  SC in second ch from hook, sc in top loop only of each of the next 9 chs, 3 sc  in last ch, sc in remaining loop of each of the next 9 chs (across the opposite side of the first 9 chs), 2 sc in same st as first sc in round, join with sl st to first sc in round, ch 1 (24 sc)

Round 2:  2 sc in first sc (same sc as sl st), sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st, 3 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st, 3 sc in next st, join with sl st. (32 sc)

Round 3:  (beginning of sides—roll to outside as you crochet):  ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next st and each stitch around, join with sl st to top of ch 2

Round 4: ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next st, work a fphdc (see note above for instructions), [hdc in next three stitches, work a fphdc] repeat around, hdc in next st, join with sl st to top of ch 2

Rounds 5 - 12:  Repeat round 4 

Round 13 (round 28  for pencil case):  ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, sk next st, [sc in next st, ch 1, sk next st] around, join with sl st to first sc

Round 14 (round 29 for pencil case):   ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch 2, finish off

Drawstrings:  Make two.  Ch to reach approx. 17 inches, finish off but leave a tail—thread one of the end tails in a yarn needle to weave thru the ch 1 spaces in next to last round.  Begin at one side for the first drawstring.  Begin at the opposite side for the second drawstring (be careful not to “sew thru” the first drawstring). Sew in the tails. Tie a knot on each drawstrings about 1/2 inch from each end.

For Pencil Pouch:  Work coin purse thru round 12; to add rounds 13 – 27 (or enough to be 1” longer than your longest pencil): Repeat round 4; work rounds 13 & 14 from coin purse.  Make drawstrings as above.  For a slightly larger & heavier bag use light weight worsted instead of baby yarn.

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For another style of coin purse check out:  

Crochet Shell Pattern Coin (Change) Purse Instructions.

Also another crochet pattern we've posted is Stand Up Crochet Drawstring Bag (perfect for marbles).

You can find all of our crochet tutorials in this link:  Crocheting for Operation Christmas Child.

Design and instructions copyright Simply Shoe Boxes.  Please enjoy using this design for your personal use and for gift giving.